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Treatments for Eating Disorders

People with eating disorders often do not recognize or admit that they are ill. As a result, they may resist starting and staying in treatment. Family members or other trusted people can help to ensure that the person with an eating disorder receives needed care and rehabilitation. For some people, treatment may be long term.

Eating disorders can be successfully treated and a healthy weight restored. The sooner your disorder is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcomes are likely to be. Because of their complexity, eating disorders require a comprehensive treatment plan. Treatment involves medical care and monitoring, psychosocial interventions, nutrition counseling, and, when appropriate, medication management.

Treatment of
anorexia
calls for a specific program that involves three main phases:

Early diagnosis and treatment increase your chances of a positive outcome. Your doctor may consider prescribing medicine for you. However, it may be started
only
after you have gained an appropriate amount of weight. A healthy weight is above 85%, but not necessarily as high as 100%, of your ideal weight. To achieve this weight, your intake of calories will be gradually increased.

If your weight loss is severe, care will likely be provided in an inpatient hospital setting in order to treat serious or life-threatening physical conditions. In a hospital, doctors will develop feeding plans to address your medical and nutrition needs. In some cases, a feeding tube may be recommended. After malnutrition has been corrected and weight gain has begun, you may receive psychotherapy—often
cognitive behavioral
or interpersonal psychotherapy—to help you overcome low self-esteem and address distorted thought and behavior patterns. Families are often included in the therapeutic process.

General Treatment Guidelines for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder

Bulimia and binge eating disorder are treated with nutrition rehabilitation, psychosocial intervention, and medication management strategies. Treatment is generally done on an outpatient basis. Treatment includes establishing a pattern of regular, nonbinge meals, improving your attitude related to the eating disorder, and encouraging regular but not excessive exercise. Any co-occurring conditions, such as mood or
anxiety disorders
, should be treated as well. You may also benefit from family or marital therapy.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.